Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I was browsing through a flyer from a clothing store yesterday and a large banner at the top of an inside page caught my eye.

$10 Off Men's Lined Bottoms

Was this reputable shop in the habit of caning men for a fee? Were they offering a reduced rate for this week only? My mind considered the possibilities, but a closer look at the picture under the caption brought me back to reality.

The lined bottoms were, in fact, denim jeans with a flannel lining - a necessity for Canadian winters.

On another page was a similar advertisement that also made me smile.

Women's Striped Bottoms

Sadly, it had nothing to do with naughty young ladies being caned in the changing rooms at the back of the store. It was a reference to the pattern on the fabric.

I wonder how many other readers were fooled, at least for a moment or two, by the magic of advertising.

As we were entering Costco yesterday, I pulled a cart from the line of stacked carts. A woman walked briskly toward me. I offered her a cart, she said "I'm good". Before my brain kicked in, I said I sure hope that Santa knows that so you will not get coal and switches. There was a pause in her gait, a smile and then she was off.